Prioritizing Mental Health: Simone Biles' Courageous Stand
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Mental Health
The conversation surrounding mental health has recently gained traction, especially with high-profile athletes like Simone Biles bringing it to the forefront. Biles made headlines when she stepped back from the Olympics, citing her struggle with 'the twisties.' Unfortunately, this decision was met with criticism, labeling her as weak or cowardly for not competing. However, her choice illustrates the importance of prioritizing mental wellness, even for the most accomplished athletes.
Many are quick to compare Biles to legends like Michael Jordan, who thrived under pressure. Yet, it's crucial to recognize that mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of their level of achievement.
Section 1.1: Understanding 'The Twisties'
Experiencing 'the twisties' can be particularly hazardous for gymnasts. Factors such as anxiety and environmental stressors can disrupt their muscle memory, making it difficult to perform complex maneuvers. It's akin to forgetting your PIN number or losing your shooting form in basketball.
For gymnasts, this disorientation can be frightening, especially when aerial acrobatics are involved. Biles, with her extensive training, has executed moves that others find impossible, but even she is not immune to these challenges.
A former gymnast, Catherine Burns, shed light on this phenomenon via Twitter, stating:
“When you’re flipping or twisting (or both!), it is very disorienting to the human brain. When training new flips and twists, you need external cues to learn how it feels to complete the trick correctly.”
Burns elaborates:
“Once you’ve practiced a trick enough, you develop the neural pathways that create kinesthesia which leads to muscle memory. Your brain remembers how your body feels doing the trick and you gain air awareness.”
However, when an athlete becomes overly focused on executing a move correctly, they can lose touch with that muscle memory. The pressures of Olympic competition, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, add to this overwhelming stress.
Section 1.2: Mental Health vs. Physical Health
Despite significant progress in mental health awareness, stigma still lingers. Many people fail to recognize that mental health is just as vital as physical health.
When an athlete suffers a physical injury, they are typically encouraged to take time off for recovery. Unfortunately, the same consideration is not always extended to mental health challenges.
While some athletes choose to push through physical pain, this can lead to long-term repercussions. In fact, a report from Robert Half revealed that 90% of employees admit to working while feeling unwell, a mindset that can be detrimental to both individual and public health.
Mental health issues, however, are often dismissed as non-physical, despite their significant impact on overall well-being. As we consider the pressures faced by athletes like Naomi Osaka, who also faced backlash for prioritizing her mental health, it's evident that societal attitudes still need to shift.
Chapter 2: A Call for Compassion
In the video "Simone Biles on Putting Mental Health First: 'I Fought Hard. I Survived. No Regrets'", Biles discusses the importance of prioritizing mental health and the challenges she faced, emphasizing that no athlete should feel guilty for taking a step back when needed.
The second video, "Simone Biles: Championing Youth Mental Health and Breaking the Stigma," highlights her advocacy for mental health awareness, particularly among young athletes.
Ultimately, we must change our perspective. Instead of criticizing athletes for prioritizing their mental health, we should admire their courage. Taking care of one's mental health is an act of strength, not a sign of weakness.